After my husband persistently dropped hints about wanting to try out the Dr. Squatch hair care bundle, we finally decided to give it a go. You see, the brand had already won us over with their fantastic bar soaps and deodorants, and the prospect of using these sulfate-free, paraben-free, natural hair care products piqued our interest.
The variety they offered was rather attractive, with distinctively diverse options such as Cypress & Citrus, Summer Citrus, Cool Fresh Aloe, Pine Tar, Fresh Falls, and Coconut Castaway available to select. In our curiosity, we opted for the Cypress & Citrus bundle.
Packaging and Size
When the package arrived, we were relieved to see that it had been carefully packed to avoid any mess or spills during transit. The bottles were made of plastic with clear labeling, and the seal prevented shampoo and conditioner from leaking. The capped tops came with easy-to-use pumps. However, the shampoo bottle was smaller than expected, containing just 8 ounces. The conditioner, on the other hand, was larger and contained 10.6 ounces.
Ingredients
Their commitment to being chemical-free was evident in the products. Importantly, the shampoo does not contain alcohol. For those wary, though, be informed that the conditioner does include stearyl and behenyl alcohol. But rest assured, these are far from harmful chemicals and instead are fatty alcohols that are often used to moisturize.
List of Ingredients (Cypress Coast Shampoo)
- Water (Aqua), Decyl Glucoside, Coco-glucoside, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose, Honey, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Surfactin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate.
List of Ingredients (Citrus Mint Conditioner)
- Water (Aqua), Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Trehalose, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Sage) Flower Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil, Menthol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Kernel Oil, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Calcium Gluconate.
The natural formulation has an impressive scent profile — the shampoo is wonderfully masculine and clean, while the conditioner smells energizing and citrusy.
Personal Experience
The first thing that I noticed was that the shampoo does not lather as much as I had expected, but it still cleaned my hair well. The instructions recommended a dime-sized amount, but if you have long hair, like me, you may need more. The directions also say to use the shampoo every 2-3 days to avoid buildup.
The conditioner, being a rinse-type, was intended for everyday use. Massaging it into my hair and leaving it for a couple of minutes creates a highly refreshing and surprisingly cooling sensation. Not only did both products enrich my hair, but they also left our bathroom smelling of a refreshing rainforest!
Performance and Effectiveness
Despite being a rinse-type conditioner, it didn’t leave my hair feeling greasy or filmy. Instead, it rinsed out clean, leaving my locks soft, manageable, and nourished. The shampoo also worked in sync with it by cleansing without stripping the hair. And the best part? It effectively eliminated dandruff, ensuring there were no more flakes or redness on my scalp. My husband and I noticed a significant improvement in how our hair and scalps felt post-shower.
Price and Value
Now, to the elephant in the room – the cost. The full hair care kit is priced at $30, with separate purchases of the shampoo and conditioner tagged at $16 and $17 respectively. Factoring in additional shipping costs, your total expense might seem high compared to mainstream hair care products. The important aspect to consider here is the lasting duration: our personal experience resonated with an approximate two-month lifespan of the product. Following the directed usage, it aligns the shampoo and conditioner to run out concurrently.
If you appreciate quality over quantity, the price is justifiable considering the benefits it offers. Still, if the price tag feels hefty, there is an option for Subscribe and Save that could save you some dollars. We used a lather brush with the shampoo, which helped stretch its usage.
Final Thoughts
While it may seem pricey for some, our experience with the Dr. Squatch hair care bundle has been mostly positive, proving that sometimes, you do get what you pay for. With natural ingredients, variety in aroma, and apparent results, it indeed makes for a great gift. The only drawback could be the quantity provided for the price, but with judicious usage, it can definitely last. The bathroom smelling like a Rainforest is indeed a delightful bonus!
